http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/dantoni_092408_qanda.html

didn't see this posted, it's gotta make anyone feel better about the upcoming season. no mention of marbury from D'Antoni at all and he mentioned almost every other player. he went out of his way to compliment Jared Jefferies and Duhon. says he wants to run a lot from day one of camp. eddy is in trouble.

D’Antoni Ready to Lead Knicks Back to Prominence

Sept. 24th, 2008

As the start of a new season -- and a new era -- of New York Knicks basketball draws closer, NYKnicks.com will sit down with the players, coaches and others closely associated with the team to discuss their thoughts on the outlook for 2008-09.

We continue the series with a special one-on-one with new Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni, who gives us a personal look into his mind on the eve of his first season in New York.

NYKnicks.com: How have you been adjusting to life here in New York?

Mike D'Antoni: It's been good. I haven't gotten into a house yet, but temporary housing and being here at the practice facility has been great. So far I like New York.

NYKnicks.com: In addition to coming over here, you also obviously had a big summer as a coach on the Olympic team, too.

D'Antoni: Yeah, that was special to be in the Olympics and represent your country. Having the players buy into what we were doing and making it fun, and then winning a gold medal --- all that together made it special.

NYKnicks.com: Was there a particular moment that sticks out as a highlight, such as the opening ceremonies or the gold-medal game?

D'Antoni: Oh, the gold medal game. I think after three summers of trying to work together for a common goal, and then once you realize that from where we've been in the Olympics and international play the last four or five years, it was a big relief, but also a lot of excitement.

NYKnicks.com: So where is your gold medal now?

D'Antoni: Actually, coaches don't receive medals. … We get what's left over … Nothing! (laughs)

NYKnicks.com: Most fans might not know that, but now that you are in back New York, do you have people coming up to you left and right to talk about basketball?

D'Antoni: Yeah, in the city especially. There are a lot of Knicks fans everywhere obviously, and hopefully we will make it a little more exciting and a little bit better.

NYKnicks.com: What are some of the things they tell you?

D'Antoni: Just wishing good luck. They've really been great. I'm just looking forward to trying to get something done.

NYKnicks.com: Do you think it's going to be a big adjustment for you coming over to the Eastern Conference from the West?

D'Antoni: Not really. You know, the style of basketball we are going to try to do the same. Obviously, I think we can do what we did in Phoenix -- that same style but with different players. The teams in the NBA, you play everybody so you know what you are in for. The East is a little bit better this year than in other years, and it will continue to get better. But I'm looking forward to the challenge.

NYKnicks.com: When you first got hired, you said one of the main reasons you decided to come to the Knicks was the opportunity to work with Donnie Walsh. How has that relationship been working out for the last few months?

D'Antoni: It's been great. He's a good guy, and he's fun to be around first of all. You know, he's one of the best (executives) in the league, and just the day-to-day relationship we have with each other, it makes it very comfortable to work.

NYKnicks.com: Let's name a few players on the roster, and if you can just say the first thing that pops into your mind, starting with Quentin Richardson, whom you already know from having coached him in Phoenix.

D'Antoni: He's a guy you want to go to battle with. He comes up with big plays.

NYKnicks.com: How about Jamal Crawford?

D'Antoni: He's a very, very talented basketball player.

NYKnicks.com: Eddy Curry?

D'Antoni: Big. He's one of the better centers in the league.

NYKnicks.com: Nate Robinson?

D'Antoni: Nate … He's fun to watch. Very exciting. And an unbelievable talent.

NYKnicks.com: David Lee?

D'Antoni: He works hard. He's everybody's favorite … and he's definitely a coach's favorite.

NYKnicks.com: Zach Randolph?

D'Antoni: Zach is a 20-10 guy who is one of the two or three guys in the league that can do it.

NYKnicks.com: How about Wilson Chandler? He's a player you might not have known a lot about before you came over here.

D'Antoni: He's got unbelievable potential. The same with (Danilo) Gallinari. He also has unbelievable talent and can really make others around him better.

NYKnicks.com: Is there anybody who has surprised you so far from what you've seen?

D'Antoni: Jared Jeffries. He's surprised me. He's been a lot better than I thought.

NYKnicks.com: What about Jared has caught your eye?

D'Antoni: With Jared, it's just his versatility. He can really see the floor and he's got a lot of skills. Chris Duhon has done really well, too. He never gets tired and just keeps running.

NYKnicks.com: Duhon was actually the first big free-agent signing of your era. What about him attracted you to him and fit into your plan of what you want to establish here in New York?

D'Antoni: He's a pass-first guy. Also his speed, defense and ability to push the ball.

NYKnicks.com: Have you mapped out any groupings of players that you want to or are planning on playing together?

D'Antoni: I have, but I'm not telling you. I'd have to kill you if I did! (laughs)

NYKnicks.com: When training camp starts next week, what are some of the things you are looking to establish?

D'Antoni: Um, running. Playing together. Just doing the right thing and see where we are and where we can go. I'm excited to get on the road and see the direction where we all want to go to.

NYKnicks.com: Obviously, you want to make the playoffs, but this season is still Year One for you. Are there other things in particular you want to accomplish?

D'Antoni: I want us to be exciting, entertaining and a winning basketball team. We've got to get towards that goal of what winning means. At this point, I don't know how many wins that translates into, but we should be a team that people like to watch.

NYKnicks.com: Has it hit you yet that you are in New York? It was a whirlwind when you first started, and then you were off to the Olympics, but now that you are in New York and about to get started, has it sunk in yet that you are the head coach of the New York Knicks?

D'Antoni: Yeah, it's sunk in all right. I mean, just being in the NBA, it's exciting. So being in Phoenix, that was exciting. But the Knicks, being in New York and The Garden and all that, it's an even higher excitement. But anytime you are the head coach of any team, it's almost all the excitement anyone can ask for.

NYKnicks.com: You've said before that The Garden is a special place to play. On Opening Night, when they say your name as head coach, what's that going to feel like?

D'Antoni: We'll see. (laughs) The first game I'm not worried about, it's around the tenth game! (laughs) But in all seriousness, it'll be great. Obviously I will be proud, and feel a rush of adrenaline going on. But again, New York is great and I don't want to downplay it, but in any city you are and they announce you are a head coach --- I mean, there are only 30 jobs. It's pretty special to be leading a team.

NYKnicks.com: Is there anything in particular about Phoenix that you are going to miss?

D'Antoni: Ummm…probably if you ask me in December when its 72 degrees there, yeah (laughs). The weather mostly. But a lot of the players for sure. The bond I had with a lot of the players, to move on, it's not easy. We'd been through a lot and accomplished a lot. They are my friends. So that's the big thing.

NYKnicks.com: Now that you are in New York, are there any particular places you like to go? What is a Mike D'Antoni hot spot?

D'Antoni: Well I actually have not had a chance to be down in the city all that much. I saw one Broadway show which was great – "Jersey Boys" – so I look forward to doing more of that. Plus learning restaurants (laughs).

NYKnicks.com: Have you had a chance to get into any of the other local teams? It's pretty exciting around now with the Mets looking to make the playoffs, Yankee Stadium closing, and the Giants coming off a Super Bowl win.

D'Antoni: I've actually always been a Mets guy. It's weird, I'm not just saying this, but I was a Yankees guy until the 1970s, and then I got into the Mets and have been a Met guy ever since. But I can enjoy them all. I'm not a New York Giant guy … but I could be! (laughs) I was a Jet guy for a bit too because Chad Pennington went to Marshall. So it's just things like that. I appreciate good sports, and we've got some of the best in the world here.

NYKnicks.com: And now that you are here, you can see how rabid New York sports fans are and how they flock to their teams.

D'Antoni: Yeah, I mean, they want to go to anything that's the best. If you are the best, they will come.

NYKnicks.com: We have been asking players this question, so we'll put it to you, too: If you have one thing you want to tell the fans about the Knicks this year, one single message, what is it you want to tell them?

D'Antoni: That we're going to be exciting. We're going to be a lot of fun to watch.

This guy sounds like a fanboy. He is in way over his head. S.O.S. should be sent out immediately to Stern to get Nash and Stoudamire in here as quick as possible. I don't care how he does it. Hell make another Allan Houston exemption if necessary "for the good of the game." Oh wait that didn't work out so well last time since it wasn't even used on him. Top notch organization.